Apr 01 2009
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
It took me only a short moment this morning for me to determine which book I wished to review for my very first post. Gone With the Wind is not only an American classic, but it is considered to be one of the best novels of the modern age. Gone With the Wind is so much more than that. For me the words “American Classic” brings up images of students trying to get through a ridiculously difficult novel for a high school English class. But, if you have never read Gone With the Wind, don’t be put off because of its classification as a classic. Gone With the Wind is one novel that redefines the term. It’s is an outstanding book of love, war, fear, hatred and jealousy. If you have never read it, now is the time to start. Don’t wait another minute. You have no idea what you are missing. Go and buy a copy, and you will not be dissapointed with it. Don’t let the size scare you. With a little over 1000 pages, Gone With the Wind will leave you occupied and full of enjoyment for hours.
One question I would like to ask, is what do you feel makes a good novel? For me, a really outstanding novel is one that speaks straight to my heart. It’s a novel that really pulls me into the story, and makes me ache or laugh right along with the main characters. A good novel is one that makes us, as readers, question ourselves and look inwards. It makes us want to change and become better people, or at least different than who we currently are. These things are exactly how, or what, I felt when reading Gone With the Wind. I don’t think I’ve ever been so passionate or excited about literature before reading this novel. This book is the reason I fell in love with reading, and I would recommend it to anyone who has ever read anything.
Gone With the Wind, written my Margaret Mitchells is an inspirational story. Personally my favorite novel, it is a story that speaks across the ages. Set with the Civil War as the backdrop, Gone With the Wind is much more than a war story. It speaks of fear and jealousy and romance and the power of the human will. Scarlett O’hara is a perfect heroine because she is able to survive Civil War and Reconstruction life on sheer willpower. She is a beacon of hope for all girls and women who believe that they aren’t good enough. O’hara doesn’t rely on men to save her, she instead saves herself. For me, personally, she is a bittersweet character. While reading this novel I often want to pull my hair out and yell at Scarlett. I wonder why she just can’t see that Rhett Butler is the guy for her, not the weak Ashley. But then I take a minute, pull my brain out of the plot and think about what Mitchells is really trying to say. Scarlett doesn’t rely on whimsical dreams of happiness and gaiety. Instead she uses her head to make advantageous decisions for herself. Basically the is the epitome of a female hero.
Gone With the Wind is a truly outstanding novel. The plot is amazing and well thought out. The characters have real depth, and as readers they are easy to relate to. Also this book is not an extremely difficult read. You will find yourself so immersed in the plot and the character that the 1024 pages will flash by, and you will find yourself wishing for more. At least that is what happened to me. No matter who you are, where you come from, or where you are going Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is one novel you must read. Male, female, young, old, it makes no difference. Trust me, pick it up the book and start the journey. You won’t be disappointed.
